Poetry+Questions

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1. How does Lowell define “freedom” and slavery?” 2. How does Harper protest against slavery, as outlined in “Free Labor?” 3. What is “true freedom,” as defined by Lowell? 4. Who are the audiences of each poem? 5. “Free Labor” is an ambiguous title. Explain how/why, and give support for each version. 6. What is the title significance of “Stanzas on Freedom” and “Free Labor?” 7. What does the author in “Stanzas on Freedom” use chains to symbolize? 8. Why does the author in “Free Labor” use clothing to describe things in the poem? 9. What units do these poems most directly connect to? 10. Why do Lowell and Harper use symbols in their stories? 11. What is James Russell Lowell's opinion on the positon of African American who are free in the North? 12. Why are those who fear to speak also slaves even if free? 13. What historical event is this poem reflecting? 14. What is the significance of the garment? 15. Why did Lowell address this specific audience? 16. How do these poems compare to the other poems we read in class? 17. How do the poets use rhetoric's concepts in their poems? 18. In which ways are the two poems similar and different? 19. Do you think the point of views may have been different if the poems had been written by white poets? If so, in what ways? 20. What current events or things in your life can you connect with some ideas from these poems? 21. How do you think each of these poets would react to the others poem? Would they agree, or disagree? 22. What do the garments in "Free Labor" symbolize? 23. How do you think the poem "Stanzas on Freedom" would differ if Lowell was born in the south instead of born in the north? 24. What is Lowell trying to explain in the third stanza of his poem? 25. How do you think the poems would be different if either had been former slaves? Would they be more aggressive to those who don't fight for the cause or would they be easier? 26. How do the symbols in "Stanzas on Freedom" and "Free Labor" affect its protest poetry? 27. How are the poems in common through their angle of protest poetry? 28. What is the symbol in “Stanzas on Freedom” and what does it represent? 29. What is the symbol in “Free Labor” and what does it represent? 30. What are the literary techniques used in “Stanzas on Freedom” and “Free Labor”?